A MESSAGE TO NEW MEMBERS!

New to distillation, or simply new to the HD forums.
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ga flatwoods
Master of Distillation
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Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2013 6:40 pm
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A MESSAGE TO NEW MEMBERS!

Post by ga flatwoods »

First, I would like to welcome each of you to the Home Distiller site and we appreciate you interest in the craft of home distillation. You have chosen a very exciting and rewarding hobby to engage in. Having found HD has put you way above the average learning curve already and will provide insight you may not otherwise have gained in a lifetime on your own. Why reinvent anew what is already spelled out here? Now as a new member, we know that the excitement and anxiousness to proceed is likely to be heavily on your mind. However, patience is an absolute MUST! If you choose to be involved deeper than just being a member, if you dont have patience now, then eventually you will learn it at least in regards to making a fine product, perhaps even a life lesson as such. In the persuit of trying to make that first run, or second , or third, etc. you will inevitably have questions. There is hardly a question you can ask that has not been answered in these forums many times over. Problem is that it is often buried in the conversation in the threads as they evolve and are discussed. Impatience will get the best of you and you will ask "the question".

By now you should know that we have what is required MANDATORY reading. Generally speaking it is the homesite of ths forum. "Read it, learn it, live it" until it becomes second hand knowlege. This may take longer for some than others but is absolutely necessary if you are going to succeed in this chosen endeavor. If you ask "that question" not having a good understanding of the basics, then we will easily recognize that fact and you will most likely be told to read till your eyes bleed, wipe the blood away and read some more. Again, we expect you to do your part if we are to help. If by chance this should happen to you, we ask that you please do not get discouraged and feel as if you are being picked upon as that simply IS NOT the case. Remember we do not "know" you as a forum member. We only know what we see from you in written text, often lacking in correctly received perception. Perception is often more empowered than reality you know? So here is some advice if you do get the feeling of being bullied or picked on as a newbie:

There is a lot at stake for the membership of this forum. We are covert hobbyists looking for legal justification and recognition for the craft at hobby level. As such, it is imperative that all members have the skills and aquired knowledge to proceed forward in pursuit of this endeavor in a safe and pragmatic manner. The complete understanding of the fundamental theories, principals, materials, hardware, ingredients, and safety are crucial for the individual new to the hobby to have a full grasp of before proceeding forward. To proceed without such skillset is looking for failure with the inevitable possibility of dire consequences. This hobby has the potential to kill you and others. While rare it is not unheard of. Several members here can tell you of fires during their runs. Threads are posted of mass deaths caused by poor product, mostly in third world countries, but possible here just the same. It is so terribly easy to spot the ones who have not studied enough to acquire the basic knowlege on their own accord by the questions they ask and the comments they make. Understandably, it is an easy trap to step into.

The craft is attractive to a wide range of people for many differing reasons. For some it is the build of the equipment, some it is to get one over on the govt., others it is the ability to learn to make something comparable to a farmer making a crop out of raw land and the pride associated therewith, others it is the life long endeavor that can come with ups and downs in the experimentation with differing equipment, processes, ingredients, and effort. All of these things look like "candy in the eyes of children" to each of us just starting out. Problem is, you just cant get started fast enough. Kind of like teaching someone to diffuse a bomb. It would be stupid to take the hammer out and attempt to beat a hole into it to look at the insides now wouldn't it? What is the worst that could happen? Well no shit! You probably guessed correctly. But a thorough understanding of how it works might help to diffuse it somewhat with a higher degree of safety. Guess what again. Sometimes even "the experts" can mess up. We fully understand this analogy. It is not unlike this craft and as such up front knowledge is critical! If you feel as if you have been bullied, imagine standing in a platoon line up with the 1st SGT in your face. Why is he there? To give you hell cause he can? To teach you the means and skill set to keep your sorry ass alive and the squad around you! Every word has value. Should the drill instructor have his ass kicked for the time he spent on you? No, he did his part. It ultimately is the individual that has to step up. If 1ST SGT embarrassed you, do what it takes to not let it happen again.

Only you can move yourself forward in this endeavor. There is too much contained herein for any one person, or multiple hundreds to give it to you and there will never be enough time. So, make up your mind to get on board and learn for yourself what we consider mandatory. Or, you could decide that this forum is not right for you, maybe the hobby is not either if that is the case, and move on elsewhere. However, please note, that you are already involved in the most formidable site on the net. The choice is yours.

Again, I welcome you to HD and hope to see good things from each of you in the future! For a very good set of proceedures to go forward, please visit Crank's thread here to help guide you on what we hope to be a lifelong pursuit. http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=52975

Ga Flatwoods


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Last edited by ga flatwoods on Mon Jun 29, 2015 7:07 pm, edited 2 times in total.
The hardest item to add to a bottle of shine is patience!
I am still kicking.
Ga Flatwoods
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